1. New Religions #13 Cult and New Religion 11 September 2012 Masayo Urasaki

2. Today’s Class Goal 1) To understand the concept of "Cult" 2) To understand the incident of Japanese Cult "Aum Shinri Kyo" in 1995 3) To consider the problem and occurance of "Cult"

3. Interest from Religoin to "Inner Space" In the middle of economic growth rapidly, some Japanese interest "Innter Space" more than " Religion " Seaching for "True Myself" "True Life" Don't based on social status, materials, but "Inner Space" → people cannot believe "Large Story" (Ex. If one work hard, one can get well. I you have money, you can be happy)

4. What is Cult? Definition Originally, Latin : Cultus means worship, respect → a way of life, an attitude → system of religious beliefs and practices ☆ a small group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion.

5. Concept "Mind Control" a process in which a group or individual "systematically" uses unethically manipulative methods to persuade others to conform to the wishes of the manipulator(s), often to the detriment of the person being manipulated" Ex. Brainwashing / mind abuse thought control / thought reform

6. The Changing New Religion to Cult Their practices became so strictly Physically, Mentally, using "Intiation" (Practices for taking in the spiritual energy) → mind control that GURU(Founder) is always absolutely correct. Many conflicts with outside groups ( family, layers, neibourhoods)

7. Aum Shinri Kyo Brief History 1 Established in 1984 Founder Mr.Shoko Asahara (real name:Chizuo Matsumoto) Born at Kumamoto Pref, He went to Tokyo as acupuncturist. He is alost blind. At first,he started "Yoga"class, after that organized religious groups, the system of become priest in1987.

8. Aum Shinri Kyo Brief History 2 Became AUM Membe was 15,400 in1994(including priest and layperson) They propagate using magazine, Mr.Shoko was assumed a person with supernatural power, and success eternal nirvana. The teaching of AUM is "renounce the worldly desires by practices to persuit the Truth"

9. Incident Sarin in Tokyo Subway in 20th March 1995, some AUM members terror using Sarin Gas attack in subway at the center of Tokyo. 13 killed and over 6,000 peoples injured Police investigated this terrorism intend to do organizational crime as Aum Shinri Kyo, locaded headquaters neat Mr.fuji. Founder Shoko arrested 16 May at HQ.

10. Under the trail Founder and his disciples arresed, now under the trail. Founder Shoko Asahara was demamded the death penalty on 2006. Aum Shinri Kyo was determined "dissolution order" from the Supreme court on January 1996. some disciples contiue to orginaze new religious group "ALEPH".

11. What is Cult Problem? Violence 1) Sexiual Abuse 2) Mental Abuse/Mind Control 3) Force to sell spiritual goods 4) Force to offing money Isolation with other society Leading people on the groups without telling "Cult" at the begining.

12. Cult Problem / Mass Suicide in USA Peoples Temple (establish 1956) Founder: Jim Jones 1978 mass suicide (914 peoples) Branch Devidian (establish 1934) Founder: David Koresh 1993 mass suicide (86 peoples) Heaven's Gate (establish 1970') Founder:Marchall Applewrite,Bonnie Nettles 1997 mass suicide (39 peoples)